THREE men were due to appear in court this morning charged with the shotgun murder of pub doorman Darren Bell.
Anthony James O'Reilly, 35, of Albion Mill, Ewood, Blackburn, Joseph McWilliams, 27, of Stonyhurst Road, Blackburn and Imtiaz Chopdat, 30, of Cicely Court, Blackburn, are all jointly charged with the killing in February.
Tight security was expected to surround their appearance at Preston Crown Court after officers from the police tactical support unit searched members of the public when the three men appeared at Blackburn magistrates court.
They are all currently remanded in custody.
Darren Bell, 31, of York Street, Blackburn, was shot in the stomach through the glass door of a house in Mona Road, Blackburn, in the early hours of Thursday, February 22.
He was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary where he later died as surgeons battled to save him.
Three other men received minor injuries as a result of the shooting.
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